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# Classroom Network Setup

This guide explains how to set up the local classroom network. The goal is to create a stable, offline network where one computer acts as a server to provide Wi-Fi and manage the network for the other client machines.

CRITICAL CONFIGURATION RULES

1. ONE SERVER ONLY: You can only have one computer configured as a `server` on the network at any time. Multiple servers will cause the entire network to fail.
2. SERVER MUST USE ETHERNET: The server machine must not be connected to Wi-Fi. It must use a wired Ethernet connection to the router.

### Phase 1: Physical Setup

This phase involves physically connecting the server and routers.

### 1. Choose and Connect the Server

Select one computer to be the server. This should ideally be a relatively fast machine with an Ethernet port. Connect this server directly to your primary router using an Ethernet cable.

### 2. Place and Connect Router(s)

- Single Router: Place the router in a central location to provide the best coverage for the classroom.
- Two Routers: If using a second router, connect it to the first one with an Ethernet cable and place them as far apart as possible to maximize Wi-Fi coverage.

### 3. Connect Clients via Ethernet (Recommended)

Whenever possible, connect client computers to a router using an Ethernet cable. This reduces Wi-Fi congestion and provides a more stable connection for those machines.

### Phase 2: Software Configuration

This phase involves configuring the server and client machines using the `tl-sys-configure` tool.

### 1. Configure the Server

On your chosen server machine, run `tl-sys-configure` and set its Role to `server`.

Caution

Double-check that no other computer on the network is set to the `server` role.

### 2. Configure the Client Computers

On each client machine, run `tl-sys-configure` and configure the following:

1. Set the Role: Set the role to `client`.
2. Set the Wi-Fi Name: Set the Wi-Fi name (SSID) to match the network you want it to connect to.

Tip: Balancing Network Load

To prevent network congestion with multiple routers, distribute clients evenly across your access points.

- Single Router: All clients should be configured with the same Wi-Fi SSID.
- Two Routers: Configure roughly half of your wireless clients to connect to the first router’s Wi-Fi SSID, and the other half to the second router’s SSID.

### 3. Disable Wi-Fi on Wired Machines

On all computers that are connected via an Ethernet cable (including the server), disable the Wi-Fi. You can do this using the network applet in the system tray or a physical hardware switch on the device.

Important

It is critical that the server is not connected to Wi-Fi.